Marxist leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake has been elected the ninth President of Sri Lanka, a historic verdict that saw discontent voters rise up against the unprecedented financial crisis that gripped the nation in 2022.
Anura, the leader of the Marxist Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna party's broader front National People's Power (NPP), will take oath on Monday.
The 56-year-old leader, popularly known as AKD, won more than 5.63 million votes, taking his 50-year-old party Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) from the fringes to the helm. Anura defeated his closest rival Sajith Premadasa of Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) and sitting President Ranil Wickremesinghe in an election that progressed to the second round of counting.
The polls, the first to be held since the rebellion that unseated Gotabaya Rajapaksa in 2022, witnessed two rounds of counting after no candidate secured over 50 per cent votes needed to be declared the winner. In the first round of counting, Anura topped the chart by securing 5.63 million votes or 42.31 per cent, followed by Sajith Premadasa with 4.36 million votes or 32.8 per cent. Wickremesinghe managed to get only 2.29 million votes or 17.27 per cent of the total votes polled.
This is the first time that the voting progressed to the second round of counting, as single candidates have always emerged as clear winners based on first-preference votes.
Anura, who does not possess political lineage like his rivals, projected himself as the candidate of change and vowed to dissolve parliament within 45 days of taking office for a fresh mandate for his policies in general elections.
In an earlier interview with THE WEEK, Anura had highlighted how crucial this elections was as it offered an opportunity to reshape the economic, social and political path of Sri Lanka. He had also promised to root out corruption, stating how economic decisions in Sri Lanka were often driven by bribes received by those in power. "Furthermore, fraud and corruption have become significant barriers for investors, entrepreneurs and industrialists, as the success of a project is often determined by the amount of money a minister receives. To rebuild our country, eliminating fraud and corruption is essential," he added.
Also read: 'Presidential poll is an opportunity to reshape Sri Lanka': Anura Kumara Dissanayake
A dream
The new President took to X to thank Sri Lankans, calling the win a collective effort of the people. "The dream we have nurtured for centuries is finally coming true. This achievement is not the result of any single person’s work, but the collective effort of hundreds of thousands of you. Your commitment has brought us this far, and for that, I am deeply grateful. This victory belongs to all of us."
He also remembered the sacrifices made by people for the cause, stating they will not be forgotten. "We hold the scepter of their hopes and struggles, knowing the responsibility it carries. The millions of eyes filled with hope and expectation push us forward, and together, we stand ready to rewrite Sri Lankan history. This dream can only be realised with a fresh start. The unity of Sinhalese, Tamils, Muslims, and all Sri Lankans is the bedrock of this new beginning. The New Renaissance we seek will rise from this shared strength and vision," he added.
A science graduate from Colombo suburban Kelaniya University, Anura hails from rural Thambuttegama in the North Central province. He began his political journey with the JVP in 1987 at the height of their anti-Indian rebellion.
The JVP was forefront of agitating against the Rajiv Gandhi-J R Jayawardena pact, which the party tagged a betrayal of Sri Lanka's sovereignty. However, he has since billed India as a strategic partner, adding that Sri Lanka will not allow its sea, land and airspace to threaten India or regional stability.